Mark Penn has resigned his post as chief strategist to the Clinton campaign.

(CNN) - Mark Penn has given up his role as chief strategist for the Clinton campaign, it was announced Sunday.

"After the events of the last few days, Mark Penn has asked to give up his role as Chief Strategist of the Clinton Campaign; Mark, and Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, Inc. will continue to provide polling and advice to the campaign," Clinton Campaign Manager Maggie Williams said in a statement.

Sources in the Clinton campaign tell CNN's Mike Roselli Penn realized over the weekend that he needed to step aside, and that Clinton was disappointed that he had met with the Colombians.

soundoff(311 Responses)

The Clinton political machine is not very forgiving. How many their faithful have they forced into exile now? The number has to be around ten.

April 6, 2008 08:46 pm at 8:46 pm |

Boye

I am seriously tired of all these Hillary supporters blackmailing American's into voting for Hillary by saying they would vote McCain. That's the shadiest thing I have ever heard, so you basically support the person not the policies. Such a selfish mindset, I bet you don't have children fighting in Iraq right now.

BTW, what makes you think Obama's supporters wouldn't just vote republican in 2012 against Hillary? This would just end up being a neverending cycle of republicans controlling the White House.

April 6, 2008 08:46 pm at 8:46 pm |

Cynthia

She is now pretending to throw him under the bus to keep the bus from going in the ditch. We'll have to wait for the next curve to see if the bus wrecks.

April 6, 2008 08:46 pm at 8:46 pm |

Kathy

This is a huge scandal. This is the type of thing that should make the CANDIDATE drop out, not the advisor.

April 6, 2008 08:48 pm at 8:48 pm |

Steve

The phone rang for Hillary. She didn't answer. The problem she was being called about had to quit before she could decide what to do.

I'm dumbfounded she had the poor judgement to hire this guy. I am dumfounded that he was so politically inept that he couldn't understand that talking to the Colombians would jeopardize Hillary's campaign. I am dumbfounded that Hillary didn't kick his fat butt to the curb 30 seconds after she heard what he did.

Maybe there was a backroom deal. Maybe Hillary said, "I'll let you resign, but if you don't resign immediately, I'll fire you in public." That was a poor deal if it happened. She should have busted him hard for this.

Now there will always be a question in voter's minds about whether or not Hillary has the guts to stand up to powerful lobbyists. In this case, she didn't. Not good. Not good at all.

April 6, 2008 08:55 pm at 8:55 pm |

Jay

It is so sad that so many people are so stupid. Hillary knew what Mark Penn was doing all the time. Wake up! Wackos!

April 6, 2008 08:55 pm at 8:55 pm |

Andrew

I have no comment. I just keep reading about this messed up campaign. I can not believe all the drama in her camp. More to come.

April 6, 2008 08:58 pm at 8:58 pm |

Dr Feel Good

Dear Awaken. In your dreams. Obama will be your worst nightmare if elected. No Experience. No military service. No details. I don't want to guess what he will do as President of the Greatest Free Nation on Earth.

Give me the proven leader and patriot, John McCain.

April 6, 2008 08:58 pm at 8:58 pm |

JT

Penn's strategy is not really working anyway.

Hillary deserved better specially everybody is beating her up.

This lady is tough and can handle the heat. She deserved to be the next President.

Hillary is the best!!

April 6, 2008 08:59 pm at 8:59 pm |

carmen

How is he stepping aside while both he and his company will continue to work for the campaign? Oh I get it! Hes was mis-fired or mis-quit. Give me a break. How stupid do they think people are?

April 6, 2008 08:59 pm at 8:59 pm |

Nora

Will she surround herself with this type of peple in the White House ?
Can`t we stop her -???
YES – WE CAN. !!!!

April 6, 2008 09:00 pm at 9:00 pm |

Jeff

I am a supporter of Hillary but Mr Penn had to resign.
He was working on behalf of his firm on promoting the free trade deal that Hillary wis apposed to. It was a conflict of inerest.
It is in no way the same as Mr Obama lying to voters in Ohio saying he would re-negotiate nafta and his surogate was telling the Canadian Government Mr Obama is lying to the voters. Do not worry he would not re-negotiate nafta

April 6, 2008 09:03 pm at 9:03 pm |

Heath, Bronx, NY

I am under the impression that if he thought that she could win he probably would have exercised some restraint before becoming a rouge strategist. It is clear that she cannot control her finances, her people or her message. She lies about sniper fire and releases her taxes on Friday afternoon in order to avoid them being critically looked at. With respect to the taxes, we want to know where the money came from last year. Apparently, you did not provide a detailed tax report for last year like you did for the rest of the previous years. Mrs. Clinton, do the Country and democrats a favor and end this farse of a campaign. I would truly be frightened if she were elected to the highest office and she could not run her own campaign effectively.

April 6, 2008 09:06 pm at 9:06 pm |

dlr

If she runs the USA like she runs her campaign, we are seriously in trouble. Her management style really needs work.....

April 6, 2008 09:09 pm at 9:09 pm |

vicki

I guess it had to happen. Keep giving the polling numbers though. The guy from Obama's campaign who spoke to the Canadians should get the boot also.

April 6, 2008 09:09 pm at 9:09 pm |

SharonAustinTX

It is sad all the hate which exists on these blogs. I am not a Clinton supporter but am still feeling bad how this thing continues to degrade.

I began seeing both candidates as an historic possibility. Each day that goes by I become more and more saddened that our first chance of having a woman president is overwhelmed by distortions, lies, attacks, and poor judgement.

Maybe some day we will have a woman in the whitehouse - there are many qualified women in politics. Unfortunately this chance was squandered by Hillary who must take responsibility for all that has happened.

I believe after all this long primary, we now know what a blessing it would be to have someone in the whitehouse with integrity and character, who is in public service to inspire all Americans to stand up and be part of their government by holding our elected officials accountable. Obama will do this through transparency and bring the political discussion before the people. I'm 62, white female with two precious granddaughters and pray for a safe and secure future.

I believe us baby boomers should step aside and trust in this next generation of young people to chart a different future, a better future.

God Bless Obama and God Bless America.

April 6, 2008 09:10 pm at 9:10 pm |

johiob

There are so many uninformed Obama supporters spreading hate and lies. They should grow up and remember that the Clintons' are dedicated public servants. If Obama supporters continue the line of blind hatred towards Hillary, they stand to lose should Obama be fortunate enough to win the nomination. Obama himself is a likeable person, with thin and exargarated resume, therefore he is the weaker candidate against John McCain come November.

April 6, 2008 09:10 pm at 9:10 pm |

fred

i wonder what they didn't fire him; just th title change

April 6, 2008 09:11 pm at 9:11 pm |

MB

Obama 08 from Hillside NJ- You just reminded me of something I had forgot. That critisim of Obama for not being organized and she being the hands on manager. Now I guess we know what it means to be hands on.

April 6, 2008 09:12 pm at 9:12 pm |

TellItLikeItIs

LOL! So it's alright for Penn to continue to advise the Clinton campaign after the shady double talk with the NAFTA dealings? Why not cut ties with Penn altogether? Makes no sense. Then again, it does make sense. The Clintons want to keep Penn close so he can continue to get those NAFTA dealings completed. After all, it was Bill Clinton that put NAFTA into progress in the first place. The Clintons are allergic to being honest and their whole campaign revolves around fooling stupid and uninformed voters.

April 6, 2008 09:21 pm at 9:21 pm |

Cornell

Mark Penn "will continue to provide polling and advice to the campaign," Clinton Campaign Manager Maggie Williams said in a statement.

Are you guys kissing me? How do you think this guy got the "connections" for this deal?

You for a second think hillary is in the race for the people?

Sounds like she is in it for the 300 million dollar contracts people from her "inside" can line up!!

Investigate Penn and Hillary now.

April 6, 2008 09:21 pm at 9:21 pm |

Diane

And these Hillary supporters can't see the forest for the trees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How many more slip ups will it take for you to see the hand writing on the wall if the Clinton's are voted back in?????

April 6, 2008 09:22 pm at 9:22 pm |

brad

She didn't fire him because she couldn't when she was aware of the meeting. In fact, why do you think he'll still have a role in the campaign. The only reason he is "stepping down" is because they were caught. If he didn't, her campaign would not be just over, it would be completely over.